For her last collection at Salvatore Ferragamo, designer Cristina Ortiz chose Africa as her inspiration. However, this was not Africa in the bold, loud, even brash ways we have seen in previous seasons, with tribal prints and heavy jewellery. Ortiz went for a more understated take on Africa as a reference point, with pale crocodile skin coats, wide hipped jodhpurs and Masai inspired beaded gowns. Legs were more covered up than we have recently seen, with hemlines at the ladylike length of just below the knee, however the trend for the sheer was continued with diaphanous, long sleeve tops worn under waistcoats. Certainly a more classic, as aposed to a show stopping last collection.

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Since being appointed the head of women's wear for Salvatore Ferragamo in 2008, Cristina Ortiz's collections for the brand have received lukewarm reviews. With all that said, it was hardly a suprise that the house have decided to end her contract. This morning WWD reported that Massimiliano Giornetti, the head of menswear, will take over from Ortiz and head both the women's and menswear divisions, despite having no experience in designing for women.

According to Fashionologie, Giornetti is already working on the brand's A/W 2010/11 collection.